Blue Ridge Issue 14

August 19, 2011

vol. 1 i. 14

FASTPAC

Marines

Steel Beach Picnic

Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda Commanding Officer: Capt. Daniel Grieco Executive Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ralston Command Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/SS)

David Unnone Public Affairs Officer: Lt. j.g. Clinton Beaird Editor: MC1(SW) Todd Macdonald Newsletter Staff: MC2(SW) Brian Dietrick MC2 Aaron Pineda MC2 Joshua Curtis MC2 Fidel Hart MC3(SW) Alexandra Arroyo MCSN James Norman

Produced by Media Services division, Ext. 4155 Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ussblueridge View this issue online: www.issuu.com/ussblueridge

August 19, 2011

Blue Ridge is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge. All news releases, photos or information for publication in Blue Ridge must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.

vol. 1 i. 14

On the cover: Sgt. Matthew Miles of the 6th

Platoon Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, Pacific stands on the flight deck of USS Blue Ridge with his fellow Marines awaiting a gun shoot.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda

FASTP

C Marin es A

Semper Fi FASTPAC Mission

Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James Norman Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda

Being part of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, Marines serving within the FAST community are highly skilled and trained in counter intelligence, physical security, urban combat techniques, close quarter combat and martial arts.

“I’ve done cross-training with the he Marines assigned to the Fleet Australian Army before and it was a Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific great experience,” Company Armorer (FASTPAC) aboard U.S. 7th Fleet Lance Corporal Michael Griner said. command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) serve an essential role when it comes “We taught them the Marine Corps to the security and defense of the United Martial Arts Program, while they taught us medical field training.”

States’ assets around the world.

Within the FAST regiment, there are The role of FAST is to detect, deter three companies. The 1st and 3rd are and defend against threats with a focus based out of Norfolk, Virginia, while the on antiterrorism. They also share the 2nd is based out of Yorktown, Virginia. common goal of reinforcing U.S. Within each company there are six Embassies in addition to training and platoons of 50 men. advising local and foreign security While deployed, platoons are forces.

“My fellow Marines and I are a force assigned to commands in three areas: Europe, Pacific, or Central. afloat in case anything terrorism-wise Although Marines are not usually goes down,” Capt. Travis Posey, Platoon assigned to ships, there is an exception Commander said. “We are trained to be deployed from Blue Ridge rapidly to an for those assigned to FAST. While Embassy or any other dire situation that deployed on Navy vessels, they try to stay active and busy by working out and may need our assistance.”

T

learning from their various classes.

According to Posey, trying to stay active while the ship is underway can be hard, but he tries to keep his Marines engaged with various activities.

“Besides exercising, we allow our more senior Marines to teach proper communication skills with the public and classes on different battle positions,” Posey said. “We show them how to detect IEDs, using CHF radios and identifying foreign infantry weapons to name a few.”

According to FASTPAC Lance Corporal Joshua Chapius, the Marines assigned to Blue Ridge make an essential contribution to keeping the overall mission a safe and well guarded one.

“The fact that I get to learn and train with other militaries doing something I already love, has been one of the highlights of my time with FASTPAC,” Chapius said. “This whole tour has been a great learning experience and I’ve been to countries I never thought I would be able to visit on my own.”

Blue Ridge’s New Foc’sle On any given day aboard USS Blue Ridge, busy Sailors engage in different projects to both preserve and improve the ship.

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Terrence Phillips, deck department’s, first division leading petty officer, was approached by his division officer with a project on a part of the ship that has deep roots in naval tradition.

The forecastle, or foc’sle as it’s more commonly called, gets its name from medieval times when castle like structures were built on warships. These structures were located in the bow, or forward most part of the ship, where archers could take station and fire their arrows to shoot down enemy ships. They were also used as a defensive stronghold if the ship was boarded.

On modern day U.S. Navy ships the location of the foc’sle remains the same, but the purpose is a little different.

Aboard Blue Ridge it has many uses. It is home to the ship’s two 25,500 pound anchors, it serves as one of the ships mooring stations, and instead of archers, it is boatswain’s mates that stand post there. According to Phillips, it also serves another purpose.

“The foc’sle is supposed to be a ceremonial place where people can do re-enlistments, pinning ceremonies, celebrations and even captain’s mast,” he said.

The task that was given to Phillips and his crew: turn the Blue Ridge’s foc’sle into a ceremonial space while still keeping it operational. In true deck department fashion they got right to work.

Seaman Chris Glaeser was one of more than 40 Sailors who worked on the transformation.

“I started needle gunning and grinding away on the non skids and angle irons. A lot of grinding and getting rid of layers of paint,” he said. “It was a restoration project from top to bottom, fore to aft.

Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Curtis

Tearing down everything and taking it down to bare metal,” he continued.

Seaman Casey Demarrias knew it was going to be a lot of work. Having to remove rust and paint that was really thick. He also knew it was an important project.

“It’s a big space for deck department. I think it represents boatswain’s mates as a whole,” he said.

After all the rust was removed and everything was sanded down, it was time to rebuild it from the deck up.

After two months of long hours and hard work the time has come for these Sailors to showcase to the rest of the ship what they accomplished.

“Mainly when people went to the foc’sle it was for duty section turnover,” said Phillips. “All they saw was white, deck grey and black chains, but when they come in now they’ll see bright colors and more fancy work all across the foc’sle.”

Glaeser said the difference is night and day. He thinks it looks a lot nicer and everything is brighter.

Seeing the finished product is an aspect of the job that Demarrias likes.

“Everything we do takes a lot time and a lot of effort, and when you’re done you can see a big change in everything,” he

said. “I like seeing that change.”

The deck department took a lot of pride in this project, as they do with all their work and for good reason.

“Deck is the oldest rate in the Navy,” said Phillips. “We do the grimiest work, the dirtiest work, yet some people can’t tell because we are always looking clean at the same time. Everything we do we take a a lot of pride in,” he said.

That pride was evident with all the hard work these Sailors put into the foc’sle.

Phillips said his team did a fabulous job and put in late hours.

“We were knocking down the paint and my crew stayed up all the way until taps. They worked from dawn till dusk,” he said.

But the job is not quite done.

Along with upkeep, the department continues to make improvements to the foc’sle that Sailors both past and present can be proud of.

“The foc’sle gets used a lot, so it’s going to be hard work keeping it clean,” said Demarrias. “Deck department will step up to the challenge like we always do.”

Korean Midshipmen Sail With USS Blue Ridge From Cairns to Busan Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda

Just as one group of ship riders departed USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), another group arrived. This time Blue Ridge hosted four Korean Midshipmen who joined the summer patrol on August 2, in Cairns, Australia.

Sangsu Kwon, Min Sakong, Seongkoo Hong, and Gyunan Park’s arrival was part of a military exchange program coordinated by Blue Ridge staff and the Republic of Korea Naval Academy. The riders spent 11 days observing and participating in some of the ship’s training evolutions and even took part in the crossing the line ceremony.

Lt. Valerie Greenaway, the ship’s training officer who worked with the Midshipmen, said the visit was a good opportunity to strengthen ties.

“It’s been a great effort to increase foreign relations and allow them to experience the daily operations of a U.S. Navy warship,” she said.

With the exception of Park, who traveled to China and Thailand, it was the groups first time outside Korea.

“It’s been awesome,” said Park. “I’ve learned about American culture and met so many people.”

After watching American Sailors and Marines for a few days, the group noticed the differences in the two nations’ navies. For Sakong, the most obvious was the difference in attitude.

“The Americans have a much more free atmosphere, Korean navy ships are much more strict,” he said.

While aboard they also focused on how the exchange

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Ivan Galvez instructs Midshipman Gyunan Park on firing the .50 caliber machine gun. Park and three other Midshipmen from the Republic of Korea joined Blue Ridge on her journey from Cairns, Australia to Busan, Republic of Korea.

Republic of Korea Midshipman Sangsu Kwon, Min Sakong, and Seongkoo Hong serve Korean food to SH-60F pilot Lt. Cmdr. Wilson Porter in the wardroom. The Midshipmen prepared the meal as a gesture of appreciation before departing Blue Ridge in Busan, Republic of Korea.

could enhance their military careers as Korean Navy officers.

“I see there are many good practices that hopefully I can take back and apply to the Korean Navy,” said Kwon.

One of the things the Midshipmen will be taking back with them is the experience of the crossing the line ceremony. Luckily for them they were onboard at the right time and were able to get in on the fun.

“It was a little crazy, but we all liked it. We’re lucky because this is something we normally wouldn’t do in our Navy,” said Sakong.

For Midshipman Hong, the crossing the line ceremony wasn’t the only memory he’ll bring back with him to Korea.

“One of the best moments on the ship was being able to swim in the Pacific ocean during swim call,” he said. “That will definitely be something I won’t forget.”

Before disembarking Blue Ridge, the Midshipmen prepared a meal for the wardroom. Ensign Amy Kim, who helped prepare the meal, said she and her fellow Blue Ridge wardroom officers thought it was a very kind gesture.

“It was great. It shows how eager they are in sharing a part of their heritage and the pride they have in their culture,” she said.

BEAT THE HEAT Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandra Arroyo

Enjoying summer activities often

includes fun in the sun. This summer Sailors are reminded that it is important to keep cool in the heat. According to Time Magazine and The American Association for the Advancement of Science, temperatures world-wide are steadily increasing. Higher temperatures mean heat safety is a rising concern.

“Sailors should maintain proper hydration, know the signs and symptoms and know their limits in order to avoid possible heat stress,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jenna Bailey, the ship’s heat stress coordinator.

Bailey described two types of heat stress injuries Sailors should be aware of; heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“Heat exhaustion typically happens midday during sporting events,” she said. “People should try to do strenuous exercise during cooler parts of the day.”

Many factors can contribute to the levels of heat stress found in the body. These include health conditions, medications, and even caffeine or alcohol intake, explained Bailey.

“We need to stay aware of our bodies hydration when we’re out at night, even though the sun isn’t with us,” she said.

“If we had a long hot day in the sun, our

temperature daily. If it gets too hot, we monitor the work in that area in order to keep our Sailors safe,” explained Bailey.

Heat can affect Sailors on and off the ship. Sailors on board have a method of preventing heat stress injuries during the work day.

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Ashely Smith spends a lot of time working in hot shipboard spaces that require constant supervision due to heat stress.

She said engineering spaces have some of the hottest work conditions on board and that heat stress is take seriously.

“There are dry bulb thermometers in the spaces that have to get observed every hour,’ said Smith “Depending on the temperature, these readings help determine how long Sailors can handle the heat in that space.”

Bailey explained that during a heat stress injury, the body is dealing with temperatures rising too quickly for the body to accommodate for the temperature.

She said in engineering spaces, water helps maintain this balance.

Bailey said basic knowledge of the human anatomy can help Sailors understand how to help when heat affects the processes in the human body.

“Handling the heat begins with understanding how to properly maintain your core temperature,” she said.

Photo by MC2 Curtis

body is still experiencing the effects in the evening.”

Heat exhaustion may be a side effect of being in a hot environment but higher risks lurk behind every missed sip of water.

“Heat stroke is the most dangerous heat related injury,” said Bailey. “It’s like a whole body meltdown.”

According to Bailey, effects of heat stroke are high fever, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, seizures, a coma or even possible death. The ship has ways to prevent or reduce possible heat injury to ensure the temperature doesn’t rise above physical heat exposure limits, she said.

“On the ship, we monitor the

PREVENT HEAT INJURIES THIS SUMMER SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION:

SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE:

FIRST AID FOR HEAT INJURIES:

PREVENTING HEAT INJURIES:

- profuse sweating - pale and clammy skin - pulse is fast and weak - breathing is fast and shallow - dizziness - nausea

ENJOY THE REST OF SUMMER AND BE SAFE!

- call for help - move victim to a cool space - remove clothing - cover with cold, wet material - gently massage arms and legs - lower body temperature

- skin is hot, flushed and dry - pulse is fast and strong - vomiting, cramps and twitching - victim goes into shock

- drink plenty of fluids - avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages - schedule vigorous activites during cooler parts of the day - spend more time indoors during humid days

Away the SNOOPIE Team, Away!

CTRC Darold Little

Compiled by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda

The Ships Nautical or Otherwise Photographic Intelligence Exploitation (SNOOPIE) Team aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) support the mission by identifying the unknown.

The SNOOPIE team serve as the eyes of Blue Ridge when it comes to determining if any unknown contact poses a threat to the ships stability or mission.

Enlisted Intelligence Assistant (EIA), Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Jeffery Quemada says the SNOOPIE team could be called away for any surface or air contact.

“If the personnel standing watch on the bridge don’t know what they’re seeing, they can call us away so we can come up and try to identify it,” he said. “A big part of what we get called away for are foreign warships and aircraft.”

Several jobs within the SNOOPIE team help carry out the essential routine tasks every time the team is called away.

SNOOPIE Team Manager, Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Kenneth Jackson says the EIAs serve as direct leaders to the team while instructing them on what to look for and make sure the correct information is recorded.

Enlisted Intelligence Assistant, Cryptologic Technical Technician 2nd Class John Richardson says being tasked with the job of EIA is a great opportunity and he loves being able contribute to the Intelligence community with the information gathered.

“I’m the guy who makes sure our photographer is getting as many detailed pictures as possible while the recorder is gathering the vital visual characteristics of the contact,” he said. “I’m also making sure the Officer of the Deck is informed on the situation and of the contact’s status.”

The recorder’s job is to gather any data collected on the contact including specific visual characteristics as well as the activity observed, he said.

According to Quemada, one of the most crucial aspects to the team is the photographer who captures images of the contact and records detailed visual characteristics for further analysis.

Know?

ET3 Anthony Lehman

&

Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James Norman

Did You

Sailor Q A

“What was your favorite part of the Shellback Ceremony?”

“I liked being able to experience some of the traditions and heritage that still remain in the Navy.”

SHSN Borys Tkachenko

“I liked the final part where we had to say ‘I want to be a shellback!’ as loud as we could in front of Davey Jones.”

“The whole day was fun!

I enjoyed it all, even the more physical parts.”

LTJG Kristina Gladstone

“I enjoyed watching all the new junior officers become shellbacks.”

MM2 Melina Knight

CSSN Kevin Gonzales

“The end, where you’re all finished and they spray the water hose on you to get all the gunk off.”

“I liked the obstacles we went through on the main deck and being sprayed down by salt water.”

The final job on the SNOOPIE team is the Photographer’s Assistant. They aid the photographer with the camera gear and look through “Big Eyes” binoculars assisting the recorder in gathering visual information.

When the team is called away, the photographer gets his camera ready to capture the foreign contact, the EIA ensures his recorder writes down all the contact’s information and the photographer’s assistant captures what detailed data he can.

Quemada says after all the information is gathered on the contact, he then makes his way down to Special Intelligence Communications or the Ship’s Signal Exploitation Space.

“I type up our report with all the

information gathered, send it out via the Joint Information Processing Center watch in Main Communications, and the data is then communicated to the entire 7th fleet area of operation,” he said.

Jackson says when the SNOOPIE team is called away it simply means there is a contact of interest within visual range of Blue Ridge not that the ship is under a hostile threat.

Made up of different rates, the team provides a vital role in keeping the ship safe, in addition to keeping the intelligence community informed on a global scale.

Jackson said the overall mission of the team is to respond and collect the initial data on unidentified surface and air contacts that come within visual range of Blue Ridge.

The Marine Band is the oldest musical organization in the United States. They have played at every Presidential Inauguration since 1801. They are also know by the name “The President’s Own”.

Photo by MC2 Hart

Swim

Call

Photo by MC2 Hart

Photo by MC2 Pineda

Photo by MC2 Hart

Photo by MC2 Pineda

Photo by MC2 Pineda

Photo by MC2 Hart